How to Create a Drop Down List in Microsoft Excel

1. Type the list items into cells in a column of the current worksheet or another worksheet. Name the list if you enter it into a different worksheet. Select the list and click inside the 'Name' box at the top left corner of the worksheet next to the 'Formula Bar.' Type a name for the list and press 'Enter.'
2. Click on the cell in which you want to create a drop-down list. To enter the list into several cells, press and hold the 'Ctrl' key and click on each cell in which you want to use the list.
3. Go to the 'Data' menu in Excel 2003. Click 'Validation' and go to the 'Settings' tab of the 'Data Validation' dialog box. Go to the 'Data' tab in Excel 2007. Click 'Data Validation' and select 'Data Validation' from the menu. Go to the 'Settings' tab of the 'Data Validation' dialog box.
4. Select 'List' in the 'Allow' box. Enter an equal sign followed by the cell range containing your list into the 'Source' box if the list is on the same worksheet. Enter an equal sign followed by the range name into the 'Source' box if you created the list on another sheet. For example, if the range name is 'Fruits,' type '=Fruits' into the 'Source' box.
5. Clear the 'Ignore Blank' check box if you want to require users to select a list item rather than leave the cell blank. Go to the 'Input Message' tab if you want to display a message when the cell is selected. Type your message into the 'Input Message' box. Click 'OK' to create the drop-down list in the selected cell or cells.